Lionel Messi won’t win another league title or Champions League trophy with Barcelona this season, but it seems he’s closing in on the Pichichi, meanwhile setting a new record for goals scored in a single European season, reaching 68 goals in all competition after his hat trick in the 4-1 win over Malaga.

The win means that temporarily, until Real Madrid complete their match against Bilbao, the gap between the two teams is 4 points. Real Madrid need 3 more points to secure the title, most likely happening after winning at the San Mames.

But at least Messi can enjoy another hat trick and another individual title, probably. Not to mention the record, beating Gerd Muller’s 67 mark from the 1972-1973 season with Bayern Munich. Messi has reached 68 goals in 57 matches, while also setting (currently) a new record for goals in a La Liga season, 46. We’ll wait for Cristiano Ronaldo’s answer.

This was Messi’s ninth hat trick of the season in all competitions and seventh in the league. He scored 3 goals against Malaga for the second time this season, the first time coming in another 4-1 win, the first won coming away from home. He’s on his way to win his second La Liga top scorer award (Pichichi), topping the charts in 2010. He’s currently 12th on the all-time La Liga scorers list with 165 goals.